Police Arrest Tire Store Employee After Attempt at Credit Card Fraud

Lake Wales Police have arrested a local store employee and charged his with credit card theft after he used customer information to attempt to obtain cash.

A customer purchased tires at Tire Kingdom in Lake Wales on Saturday, November 4 using their credit card over the phone. According to Sgt. William Smith of the Lake Wales Police Department, within 24 hours, the victim began receiving alerts that the credit card had been used in an attempt to transfer money via an online app.

On Monday the victim contacted police to investigate, suspecting the employee had been using his credit card information. During the investigation,

detectives learned the employee, Jorge Ruiz, had indeed attempted to use the victim's card twice in an attempt to transfer money to himself. Ruiz later admitted to using the card information and was taken into custody.

Officials with Tire Kingdom owner Mavis Tires and Brakes were cooperative during the investigation, police said. Management told police that Ruiz had acted of his own volition, and that they did not condone his actions.

Police are asking other customers of the Tire Kingdom outlet in Lake Wales to examine their financial records to assure that they have not had a similar experience with Ruiz. Anyone with evidence related to the matter is asked to contact the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223.